There is a bit of bad news this week from
the Indian frontier. The Mehtar, or " Prince " of Chitral, has been murdered by his younger brother, Ameer-ul-Mulk, who has succeeded in establishing himself as Prince. The import- ance of Chitral as a point of observation and control, should an invasion of India ever be threatened from that side, is very great, so great that our ascendency there has materially conduced to the comparative ease with which the question of the Pamirs has at last been settled. This ascendency was in great part due to the sense and ability of the Prince, Nizam-ul.Mulk, who saw that his interest lay in maintain- ing friendly relations with the British, and in accepting advice from their agents without any undercurrent of bitterness or opposition. He has now disappeared, and it will be difficult for the British Government, even if the new Prince proves amenable to pressure, to condone his crime, or tolerate so flagrant a defiance to British influence. It may be possible, for what we know, to hand over Chitral to a candidate with whom we have good relations ; but failing this, we fear an expedition will be necessary, and a. much more distinct assertion of British suzerainty than has hitherto been made.
